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- After three decades, Sarafina! is returning to the Cannes Film Festival.
- The film has been selected in the Cannes Classics category.
- Producer, Anant Singh says: "We are privileged and thrilled that Sarafina! has notched up another first by becoming the first South African film to be selected twice by the Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious festival in the world."
The Cannes Film Festival, running from 16 to 27 May, has announced Sarafina! for the 2023 official selection in the Cannes Classics category.
The Cannes Classics category recognises films that are deemed to be works of quality and have contributed to the evolution of motion picture arts while encouraging the development of the film industry throughout the world.
This selection is unprecedented for a South African film as Sarafina! had its world premiere three decades ago, also as part of the official selection for the festival.
Producer, Anant Singh says: "It is exciting to be returning to the Cannes Film Festival with Sarafina! after 30 years. Being selected for Cannes Classics is a rare and coveted recognition. We are privileged and thrilled that Sarafina! has notched up another first by becoming the first South African film to be selected twice by the Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious festival in the world.
"The world premiere in 1992 sparked a renaissance of the South African film industry. Sarafina!'s return to Cannes celebrates the timelessness of our stories, and I hope this will motivate a new generation of filmmakers."
Sarafina! stars Leleti Khumalo; Academy Award winner, Whoopi Goldberg; Miriam Makeba; Mbongeni Ngema; John Kani and Somizi Mhlongo with the screenplay by Mbongeni Ngema and William Nicholson.
The synopsis reads: "Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) is a young black South African struggling for freedom during the apartheid. While she has remained relatively silent in her opposition of the racist government in her country, the movement to make the language of Afrikaans the official language in her school leads her to protest in the streets with her fellow students. Her anti-government views become even more intense when her favourite teacher (Whoopi Goldberg) is arrested for protesting."
A vibrant combination of drama, music and dance, the film shows the strength of young women who made their mark in South Africa's journey to freedom.
The film is produced by Anant Singh and directed by Darrell James Roodt.
A digitally remastered Producer's Cut with footage never-seen-before will be screened in partnership with IMAX.
"Keep talking to the kids because they are going to fix it, they are going to make it happen, they are going to make change happen," commented Whoopi Goldberg on the relevance of Sarafina! in today's world.
Leleti Khumalo added: "It is so exciting to be going back to the Cannes Film Festival. In 1992 we had a 20-minute standing ovation – what an amazing experience it was! I look forward to reliving that moment again this year."
